Do you hear well? Perhaps you do, or maybe you don’t. How difficult it is to deal with partial or complete hearing loss. I’m grateful to God that I have good hearing. So much is learned through the ears. And though there are things I wish I’d never heard, there are lessons I’ve learned and beautiful sounds which have come to me through listening. I love music, especially the blending of beautiful voices in sweet harmony. How sad it would be if I could not hear those sounds. I watched a documentary about a clinic in Ohio which works with 1- to 3-year-olds who were born deaf, teaching them to communicate with the help of an older sibling. These siblings sacrifice their play time to become the ears for their younger brothers and sisters, helping them learn sign language and other methods to compensate for their lack of hearing. It was touching to see their commitment. If you hear well, be grateful and put that blessing to good use. Six times in the gospels Jesus said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” After each of the seven letters to the churches of Asia Minor Jesus said, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Reach up and feel the sides of your head. Do you have ears? Jesus would tell you, “Then use them.” Listen to what people are trying to tell you, especially about yourself. Be a listening ear for someone who just needs someone to be there for them. Especially, listen to the Word being preached. Revelation 1:3 says, “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.” Those who read the Word are blessed. Those who hear and heed the things written in God’s Word are blessed. The world doesn’t have enough good listeners. Make this a skill you are good at.